Boards & Commissions

Boards and commissions play an important role in governing in the
City of Davenport. Membership is not to be taken lightly but should be
considered as a contribution to maintain and improve the quality of
life in the community. These advisory groups can be valuable community
assets and effective partners with the City Council and City staff in
guiding the future of the community.

The satisfaction of serving in a volunteer capacity as a member of a
public board or commission is a personal achievement and provides a
sound basis for further public service. Such service also lays the
foundation for being effective citizens after membership on such boards
and commissions has ended.

HOW TO APPLY

The Office of the Mayor accepts applications for any Board or Commission at any time, and the application stays active for one year from the date of receipt. Applicants must be a resident of the City of Davenport. Board and commissions may require compliance with the State of Iowa Gender Balance Law.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide a valuable link to the community and to the various interests that make up the community

Assist in the development of policy recommendations to the City Council

Provide leadership and support to City staff

Promote the City and its programs

Provide expertise in specialized areas

The City of Davenport has 13 boards and commissions:

Affirmative Action Advisory Commission

Meeting Frequency

Bi-Monthly on the FourthThursday of each month at 4:00 p.m.
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

Members serve three year terms. The Affirmative Action Commission serves as a resource to the Mayor, City Council, City
Administrator and Affirmative Action Officer by reviewing, commenting
and submitting recommendations for action on achieving affirmative
action goals and objectives consistent with the vision of the City's
Affirmative Action Compliance Program.

Meeting Frequency

First Monday of each month at 6 p.m.
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

Established by the City Code, the Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC)
assists in the administration of the federal Community Development Block
Grant program. The City receives an annual grant from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds may be used
for a wide variety of housing, social service, and community development
activities. The CAC reviews applications for funding and makes
recommendations to the City Council on how the grant should be
allocated. In addition, the Committee monitors the performance of the
activities funded and considers community needs in preparation for
future funding decisions. This Committee has fifteen members which
serve two-year terms.

Meeting Frequency

Second Tuesday of each month at noon
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Meeting Location

City Hall, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

Members serve two year terms. The mission of the Davenport Civil
Rights Commission is to secure for all individuals within our city
freedom from discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry,
age, mental or physical disability, marital status and familial status
in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, education,
and credit.

Meeting Frequency

Second Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m.
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

Meetings are conducted in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 400 and
the Davenport Civil Service Commission Rules. Meetings are open to the
public, subject to the exceptions in Iowa Code, Section 21.5. Employees
covered by Civil Service Code may appear before the Commission
concerning matters covered by Iowa Code Chapter 400. The Civil Service
Clerk keeps minutes of all regular and special meetings. All records of
the Commission are maintained by the Clerk in compliance with Davenport
Municipal Code, Chapter 2.82
Search Minutes & Agendas

Combined Construction Code Board of Appeals and Review

Meeting Frequency

Meets as needed
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

The Mayor shall strive to appoint one member who is a: State of Iowa
licensed electrical contractor or journeyman, State of Iowa licensed
plumbing contractor or journeyman, State of Iowa licensed mechanical
(HARV) contractor or journeyman, City of Davenport licensed Class A
commercial building contractor, City of Davenport licensed Class B
residential new construction contractor, architect, and a resident of
Davenport. The board shall be appointed to three year terms by the
mayor with the concurrence of the city council. The board may adopt
reasonable rules and regulations for conducting their meetings,
investigations and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to
the building official with a duplicate copy to the appellant. A simple
majority of the board shall constitute a quorum to transact the business
of the board. A simple majority of the members present by voice vote
shall be required on action by the board.

Design Review Board

Meeting Frequency

Fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m.
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

The Design Review Board is an 11-member board, which considers design proposals in the C-D - Downtown Zoning District, C-V - Village of East Davenport Zoning District and C-E - Elmore Corners Zoning District.

Meeting Frequency

Second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m.
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

Members serve three year terms. Established by the Historic
Preservation Ordinance, the Historic Preservation Commission has a range
of responsibilities related to properties within the community, which
have particular historic and architectural significance. Applications to
become Local Landmarks or Historic Districts, proposed exterior changes
to local designated historic properties, and proposed demolitions of
properties on the National Register of Historic Places are reviewed by
the Commission.

Meeting Frequency

Third Monday of each month at 4 p.m.
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

Established by the City Code, the Housing Commission provides
oversight for the Davenport Office of Assisted Housing which administers
several programs within the City of Davenport to provide housing
assistance to lower-income families. City-owned facilities eligible for
rental assistance include the Heritage House, located downtown and
providing 120 units of housing for the elderly and handicapped, and
Scattered Site Public Housing, providing housing to 42 families in
locations throughout the community. In addition, the Section 8 program
provides housing assistance funding for more than 500 eligible families
that reside in privately owned units. This five member commission
primarily provides oversight by considering appeals from program
participants or applicants to administrative actions taken by the Office
of Assisted Housing but the commission is also consulted on changes to
the office's administrative plans.

Riverfront Improvement Commission

Meeting Frequency

Fourth Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m.
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

Members serve 6 year terms. The Davenport Levee Improvement
Commission enhances the quality of life in our community by improving
the riverfront through stewardship, innovative planning, and management
of resources.

Meeting Frequency

Third Tuesday of each month at noon
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Meeting Location

Davenport Public Library, 321 N. Main Street
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Purpose

The Library Board of Trustees advocates for the Davenport Public
Library, plans for its future, monitors and evaluates its effectiveness,
adopts policies for the governance of the library and hires and
evaluates the library director.

Meeting Frequency

1st Tuesday of each month at Noon
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

The purpose of the Davenport Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is to provide a forum for Davenport citizen input into matters involving the Davenport Parks and Recreation Department. The Advisory Board will assist with planning and advocacy, give feedback and offer advice to the Director of Davenport Parks and Recreation. The Board was created by the City Council in 1997 under Section 2.54.080. The board is comprised of 11 (eleven) persons; one to be selected by the Mayor, and one selected by each member of the Council. All appointments are to be confirmed by the City Council. Appointments are made for 3 (three) year terms and shall continue to serve in their full capacity until a successor has been duly appointed. That person can be reappointed.
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Meeting Frequency

Tuesdays prior to City Council Committee of the Whole meetings at 5:00 PM
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

The Commission holds meetings twice a month preceded by a public
hearing. The Commission is charged with making recommendations to the
City Council on all matters that pertain to the City's Comprehensive
Plan. Among recurring matters considered by the Commission are zoning
map amendments (rezonings), subdivision platting, right-of-way vacations
or abandonments, site and final development plan reviews, and ordinance
text amendments.

Meeting Frequency

2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 4:00 PM
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Meeting Location

City Council Chambers, 226 W 4th Street
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Purpose

The ZBA is a five member citizen board. Members are appointed by the
Mayor with confirmation by the City Council. Appointments are for five
years and are staggered with members serving without compensation. The
Board holds regular meetings twice a month. The Board is authorized by
the State Legislature and the City's Zoning Ordinance to hear and
determine five categories of requests relating to the zoning ordinance.

Appeal for Review: decisions, determinations, judgments and
nonstatutory requirements made by the development official or their
designee may be appealed.

Special Exceptions: listed items in the zoning ordinance not
specifically allowed or prohibited may be authorized after public
hearing and subject to review and necessary conditions.

Special Use Permit: specified uses otherwise prohibited or necessary
to the function of the City may be permitted after public hearing and
subject to review and necessary conditions.

Home Occupation Permit: a category of Special Uses that may allow
limited business activity in a residence subject to preconditions and
necessary restrictions.

Hardship Variance: provides relief from a specific section of the
zoning regulations that pose an undue burden upon the property owner
and/or tenant and subject to several conditions and/or meeting specific
requirements.